Public Funding for Biocompatibles UK Limited

Embolic beads are commercially available products for the treatment of primary liver cancer (HCC) and are used to occlude the vessels and prevent blood supply to the tumour. They are also capable of localised delivery of chemotherapeutic agents. These embolic bead products is delivered using a microcatheter, directly into the arteries supplying the blood to the tumour, and the critical process of administrating these beads is important to ensure successful occlusion of the vessels. It is important to consider the ability of the product to be administered through the confinement of a microcatheter, and to understand any unique physical, chemical or surface interaction properties of the beads, that may restrict this process. Due to limitations in currently available methods for characterising and linking the surface chemistry of beads to their administration, we propose a novel series of experiments to develop methods and where identified, to provide a specific functional evaluation of bead chemistry and the subsequent effects on microcatheter compatibility. It is considered that through a more effective understanding of these surface interactions, translation into enhanced device usability for physicians and improved functionality possible.